Archive for April 9th, 2007

April 9th, 2007

Just throw everything together Update

Here is how to keep the eclectic look from becoming dated:

1. Bring back keepsakes from your actual travels.  This way, everything will have a story behind it & you will be more likely to save it for years to come.

2.  Send me the star lamp because I still want one.

3.  Really consider red walls. Personally, for most spaces, I think it is much too overwhelming.  Consider if you’ve ever been in a red room before or just seen them on TV.  If you are worried about the color red, try an accent wall, or using red curtains.  Consider just bringing red accessories in that can easily be replaced.

4.  Find a cohesive style.  You can still put everything in the same room, but have a subtle theme to tie things together, such as travel.  This will keep things from looking like a junk shop.

5.  That couch from the thrift store may seem like it’s fun & a good idea.  However, I think that every room needs one nice, expensive piece in it.  Make it an investment piece, some type of furniture that you will have for years to come.  This will help to ground the room.

This is one of the easiest styles to update because it is based on accessories & you can totally change the feel of the room with them.  Just remember to declutter & change things around every few years.

April 9th, 2007

Just throw everything together

This is the hardest style for me to critique, because it is the one that I love the most.  We saw a huge rise in eclectic decorating in the 2000′s.  I love this style because basically anything that you like can be put into the same room, & it’s quite inexpensive to do.  Things that are indicative of this style are:

1.  Anything from an import store.  Everything from an import store, to make it look like you’ve been traveling to places that you’ve never heard of.

2.  Different kinds of metals that we hadn’t seen used a lot before, like pewter, or bronze.

3.  Hanging lots of different empty frames on the walls in place of art.

4.  A few years ago everyone had this cool stained glass star lamp, some were vintage, some were new.

5.  Anything that looks like it came off of the set of "Friends".

6.  Suitcases used as end tables, or extra storage.

7.  Red walls.

While I love the eclectic look, I think it will be dated within a few years & seen as cluttered.  There are several ways to keep this from happening, which I will discuss tomorrow.